2023-08-17 12:59:54
A study published in the scientific journal “The Lancet Global Health” also indicates that 21% of men are carriers of a “high risk” form and calls for their inclusion in prevention campaigns.
Nearly a third of men worldwide (31%) carry some form of human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a study published in the scientific journal The Lancet Global Health dated September 2023. To study the prevalence of these viruses, scientists conducted a meta-analysis of 65 studies in 35 countries. While most papillomaviruses are asymptomatic, 21% of men are infected with high-risk HPV, which can cause cancer in particular.
Papillomaviruses are the most common sexually transmitted infection. Some viruses in this family can cause cancer of the cervix in women. But the authors of the study point out that the epidemiology of these viruses is much less studied and documented in men than in women, while they can also be victims.
” READ ALSO – Papillomavirus: all you need to know regarding the sexually transmitted infection which affects 70 to 80% of the population
Rapid infection following first intercourse
For them, high-risk HPV is more likely to manifest as warts on the anus or genitals,”leading to significant morbidity and higher transmission rates“. In rare cases, it can also cause cancer of the anus, penis or oropharynx. Even asymptomatic, a carrier man can still transmit HPV to his or her sexual partner.
The study shows that the prevalence of HPV is highest between the ages of 25 and 29 in men, but already “highfrom the 15-19 age group. For scientists, thissuggests that young men are infected soon following their first sexual encounter“. The authors add that these figuresshow that sexually active men, regardless of age, are an important reservoir of HPV infectionand therefore consider it necessary to include them in prevention strategies.
Vaccination recommended from 11 to 14 years old
Until the end of 2019, vaccination once morest papillomaviruses was only recommended for young girls in France, before the High Authority for Health (HAS) recommended including boys. Vaccination is now recommended for preteens ages 11 to 14, regardless of gender, and is “all the more effective [qu’ils] have not yet been exposed to the risk of infection“, emphasizes Social Security, before their first sexual intercourse.
The vaccine can also be donein catch-upfrom 15 to 19, and even up to 26 in the case of men who have sex with men.
In February, Emmanuel Macron announced for the start of the school year the generalization of voluntary vaccination campaigns once morest HPV in college, following an experiment in the Grand Est. Pupils, girls and boys, in fifth grade will be able to receive the vaccine if their parents wish.
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